Hey Everyone,It looks like the French Embassy in AU finally updated their site to allow greater clarification to our questions. I wish they had some of this when I applied for mine.
Info below from: http://www.ambafrance-au.org/IMG/pdf/visa_vvt_2.pdf as of 17.06.14.
I highlighted the common answers to questions in red and emphasised a big IF.
(Also check out http://www.ambafrance-au.org/IMG/pdf/WHM_VVT.pdf)
"WORKING HOLIDAY VISA
IMPORTANT
Applicants MUST be Australian passport-holders and lodge their visa application before their 31st birthday date.
The working holiday visa does not entitled you to be an "au pair" in France. There is a specific visa for "au pair" work.
If you want to stay in the Schengen space (for up to 90 days) at the expiry of your working holiday visa, you will have to leave France and the Schengen space and re-enter the Schengen area the following day as a tourist for 90 days within a 6 months period. You may leave the Schengen area (passport stamped at the border) by going to the UK for example.
pplicant to provide all required documentation. Failing to comply with this requirement will lead to your application being refused.
DOCUMENTATION Please provide
original + 1 set of copies of the required documents:
Valid passport (+ 3 months from expiry date of visa)
Long Stay Visa application form duly completed, dated and signed
1 Passport size photograph pasted on to the form
Evidence of financial resources or proof of funds :
5000 Australian dollars minimum
► Recent last 3 months bank statements (current or saving account) or pay slips.
► Credit limits are not acceptable.
Evidence of compulsory/comprehensive one-year health insurance starting from your date of arrival in France (covering all risks of sickness, maternity, disability and repatriation) regardless of the travel plans or intended length of stay decided by the applicant.
Police certificate(s) :
• for Australia, a National Criminal History Record Check (less than three months old) : standard
disclosure - police name check - issued by the police authorities of your State or Territory.
• for any other countries in which you have stayed more than one year over the last ten years. In the event of the impossibility of obtaining a police certificate in less than two months, applicants must submit evidence of application thereof accompanied by a statutory declaration relating to conviction status and an undertaking to provide the document when available.
return ticket to country of residence,
if you arrived in a different country then France (eg. UK, Spain, Germany etc), please provide train ticket or any other ticket to France (as proof of intended entry date to start one year visa and one year health insurance cover from).
Processing visa fee : 99,00 € If you intend to ask for your passport to be returned by post, please provide a pre-paid, registered and completely filled out self-addressed envelope (preferably Platinum Express Post).
Processing time to obtain the visa : 2 weeks minimum for a complete application" (But allow for the maximum)
Other General INFO:
Under the Schengen rule of no processing without payment of the corresponding fee, Visas Officers are unable to provide advice on a specific application without formally assessing it. Getting advice form third parties such as Travel Agents or Courier Agencies will be at the applicant’s risk and the Consulate General in Sydney will accept no liability for incomplete application or misleading information given by third parties. Only information provided by our website must be considered as valid and official. As a courtesy to other applicants and Visa Officers, applicants unable to attend a confirmed interview should amend or cancel their appointment via the online booking system. The passport must be valid for 3 months after your date of return to Australia The passport must hold, in order to print the visa, a minimum of 1 blank page for short stay applications and 2 blank pages for long stay applications Travelers should be aware that proof of sufficient means may have to be presented, when entering France if requested by Border Police. Documents include proof of travel arrangements, hotel reservations or "attestation d’accueil" as well as proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the trip (travelers cheques, international credit card, cash) Travelers must take out compulsory and comprehensive travel insurance (unlimited health cover, repatriation) covering the entirety of your stay in France If return of originals is required, provide an additional copy Payment of the processing visa fee is by credit card only. No specific fee for faster processing Processing time : the length of time is indicated on the basis of a complete application at the time of appointment Travel itinerary issued by a travel agent and showing the exact date of entry in France The prepaid envelope (Express or Registered) for return of documents has to be large and completely and properly filled out by the applicant on both sides (FOR LONG STAY VISAS ONLY) When necessary, the National Criminal History Record Check required is the Police Name Check (a fingerprint check is not necessary) issued by the police authorities of your State or Territory and has to be less than three months old at the time of appointment Applications for under 18’s are to be signed by both parents and accompanied by copy of both parents’ passport or driving license 